Warrior Priest of Dmon-Li - Brian Pratt [160]
“It seems you’re trapped young man,” the councilman says from where he’s still sitting in the chair.
The beating on the door finally stops as the guard begins running down the hallway to get help. Jiron turns to the underling and says, “You! You have an antidote for the drug, right?”
The man looks to the councilman and then shakes his head as he says, “No, I don’t.”
“Don’t lie to me!” Jiron hollers at him. “I heard you say you did when you two were coming up the stairs.” Pointing at James he says, “I want you to give it to him. If he dies, you both shall die.” Drawing his knife he puts the point to the man’s throat as he stares into his eyes.
From the corner of his eye, he sees Councilman Rillian begin to reach for the knife at his belt. Pushing the underling away, he rounds on the councilman and before he’s able to grip the knife, he takes hold of his arm. “Don’t even think about it, milord,” he says.
“Stop!” he yells to the underling when he sees him moving toward the door. “One more step and your boss here is dead. Understand?”
Turning his attention back to the councilman, he says, “I’m sorry to have to do this to you milord.” He removes the outer coat of Councilman Rillian and with his knife cuts it into strips which he then uses to secure him to the chair. All the while casting glances over to his underling to make sure he gets no closer to the door.
When at last the councilman’s secured and his knife rests with the others in Jiron’s belt, Jiron turns to the underling and asks, “What’s your name?”
“Stephen,” the man replies.
“Well, Stephen, get over there and administer the antidote,” Jiron demands. When he hesitates, Jiron places a knife at Councilman Rillian’s throat and says menacingly, “Now!”
Pulling a small crystal vial from within his jerkin, Stephen moves over to where James lies on the couch. “Don’t do anything stupid,” Jiron warns him.
Suddenly from the door, more banging can be heard as the guard returns with help. It sounds like they’re using a battering ram or perhaps a bench in an attempt to break the door down.
Jiron moves to the window and looks out over the courtyard. The soldiers in the courtyard below remain oblivious to the events taking place within the Councilman’s offices. He moves back over to the councilman, indicates the door and says, “So those are just your own personal guards eh? What, don’t you want everyone to know what’s going on in here?”
The councilman just glares at him, keeping silent.
Stephen has finished administering the antidote to James. When Jiron looks over to them, Stephen says, “It’ll take a few minutes to work.”
“How many?” asks Jiron as the pounding on the door increases. A crack begins forming in the heavy door.
Shrugging, Stephen replies, “I’m not sure. The instructions I was given wasn’t that clear.”
“What did they tell you?” Jiron demands to know.
“That a few drops would bring him out of it,” he explains.
“How much did they say would restore his powers?” Jiron asks.
He glances over to Councilman Rillian and says, “Half again as much.”
“I assume you didn’t give him that much?” he inquires.
Shaking his head, Stephen says, “No, I didn’t.”
Jiron puts a knife to the councilman’s throat and says, “Do it!”
“Don’t!” Councilman Rillian orders.
“But he’ll kill you!” cries Stephen.
“If they get out of here, we’re dead anyway!” he exclaims then cries out as Jiron gently punctures the side of his neck, allowing a small drop of blood to trickle down his neck.
“Smash it!” orders the councilman.
As Stephen raises the vial high, Jiron screams, “Don’t!” He rushes toward Stephen to try and prevent the vial from being smashed, but is too late. With a crash, the vial is thrown to the floor and smashes into a thousand pieces, the precious antidote splattering across the floor.
“Damn you!” Jiron curses as he lashes out with his knife in anger.
Stephen cries out as the knife strikes his chest and pierces his heart. Jiron kicks out with his foot, knocking him off